Albert J. Wright (Propeller), 13 Jun 1881

Mr. L.B. Fortier's new excursion stm. ALBERT J. WRIGHT, made her trial trip Saturday afternoon and with a party numbering nearly 100, including Mr. L.B. Fortier, Capt. Perew, Mr. Albert J. Wright, after whom she is named, Mr. Robert Mills, and Capt. John Rice; of the firm of R.J. Mills & Co., her builders; Capt. George Dickson, U.S. Steamboat Inspector, and a number of prominent dock and vessel men, steamed up the lake about 8 miles.
Notwithstanding that her boiler which is constructed with the ocean style furnaces, was a little slow in generating steam, being new to the fireman, everything worked smoothly and as well as could be expected from new machinery. On the return trip, with a nice light westerly breeze, she made the 8 miles inside of 40 minutes. The WRIGHT has been fitted out with elegance, while at the same time every precaution has been taken to provide against accidents, and nothing that experience or thought could suggest has been neglected in this respect. Three hundred fifty cork life-jackets and 4 circular life-preservers are included in her outfit, and Mr. Fortier informed our reporter yesterday that a metallic life boat and a life raft will be added in a few days. She is commanded by Capt. James Doyle, long and favorably known in marine circles here, and Mr. M.A. Young is installed as Chief Engineer.
      She is a staunch and unusually stiff craft, and is claimed to be the safest and most comfortable excursion steamer ever built in Buffalo. Yesterday she made her first regular excursion trips to Sour Spring Grove, and as the day was fine a pleasant ride was experienced.
      Buffalo Morning Express
      June 13, 1881 4-7